What if I told you this hall embodies a path to enlightenment? The Risshō Kōsei Kai Great Sacred Hall stands before us. It is more than just a building. It is a beacon of Buddhist teachings.
The Risshō Kōsei Kai Great Sacred Hall serves as the principal training center. It is located in Suginami Ward in Tokyo. Inside, the statue of Gohonzon is enshrined. This hall is the heart of the Risshō Kōsei Kai.
Risshō Kōsei Kai means establishing the true Dharma. It means perfecting oneself through interaction. The “kai” signifies society. Nikkyō Niwano and Myōkō Naganuma founded Risshō Kōsei Kai in 1938. They sought to liberate people from suffering. They shared the Threefold Lotus Sutra’s wisdom.
The Risshō Kōsei Kai is rooted in the Lotus Sutra. This scripture teaches that anyone can achieve buddhahood. It can be achieved by manifesting their inner Buddha nature. The Risshō Kōsei Kai helps individuals discover how to live to become a Buddha.
The Gohonzon is the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni. He is a Great Benevolent Teacher. He is a World-honored One. The Great Sacred Hall enshrines this devotion’s focus.
Daily, members chant the Lotus Sutra. They offer rice, water, and tea. They do this before their home altars. Risshō Kōsei Kai emphasizes studying the Lotus Sutra. They also study Buddha’s teachings. They teach the Four Noble Truths. They teach the Noble Eightfold Path. They teach the Three Seals of the Law.
Risshō Kōsei Kai uses Hōza. Hōza is an informal group session. Members discuss their problems and shortcomings. Others offer advice. Discussions explore how Buddhist insights apply. They foster trust and community.
Nikkyō Niwano met Pope Paul VI in 1965. He helped form the World Conference of Religions for Peace in 1970. He became a leader of the WCRP. Risshō Kōsei Kai actively engages in interfaith cooperation.
The Great Sacred Hall has a statue of the Eternal Buddha. It stands 6.09 meters tall. It is 3.03 meters wide. The Buddha is enveloped in a fiery halo. Four smaller Bodhisattvas surround him.
Above the Buddha is an image of the stupa of Prabhutaratna. Members also enshrine a Sōkaimyō. It is a certificate that represents ancestors. The Sōkaimyō venerates ancestors collectively.
Consider the Eternal Buddha’s message as you leave the Risshō Kōsei Kai Great Sacred Hall. The teachings guide us toward compassion. They guide us toward enlightenment. They invite us to walk the path to buddhahood together.